46: By the River That Grants Wishes

Aella, who regained consciousness after a month, had lost all her memories—even the knowledge of who she was. It was a shocking revelation, but Kael was simply overjoyed that she had opened her eyes again.

Kael held the confused Aella tightly in his arms, gently patting her back to comfort her. Slowly, he began explaining everything to her—who she was and who he was.

Aella, who had initially been frightened, seemed to gradually relax as Kael spoke calmly.

“Everyone, leave us for now.”

“Yes.”

Meow!

“Oh, Charlotte!”

As soon as Charlotte escaped from Kina’s arms, she jumped onto the bed and settled on Aella’s lap.

Meow~

“Oh.”

“That cat’s name is Charlotte. She’s your beloved pet.”

“Charlotte…”

At Charlotte’s affectionate gesture, stretching her neck as if asking to be petted, a smile spread across Aella’s face.

“She’s adorable.”

“Isn’t she? She’s always treated you like her mother.”

“I see… Somehow, she doesn’t feel unfamiliar. Neither do you….”

“…I’d like it if you called me Kael.”

“Oh, yes… Ka-Kael.”

Growl.

“Oh, my!”

“You must be hungry. You have been asleep for a month. Is anyone outside?”

When Kina entered after Kael called, he asked her to bring soup. As Kina left, Kael watched Aella, who was smiling while holding Charlotte on her lap. Their eyes met, and Aella quickly lowered her head. He cautiously asked:

“Do I make you uncomfortable? If so, I can step away…”

“Oh, no.”

“Then…”

“It’s just… hard to believe.”

“What is?”

Kael noticed Aella’s flushed cheeks as she lifted her head slightly.

‘Could it be…?’

“It’s hard to believe that someone as handsome as Kael could be my husband.”

A smile appeared on Kael’s face.

“You’re beautiful too.”

“Oh… Uh…”

Aella buried her face in Charlotte’s fur, holding her tightly, making Kael chuckle.

“Aella.”

“…I like hearing that.”

“?”

“Will you call me by my name?”

“Of course. Ella. That’s how I’ve always addressed you.”

“Ella… It feels familiar for some reason. Like it fills my heart with warmth.”

Kael listened attentively to Aella, who spoke like a shy girl, and nodded.

“I want to know why I lost my memory.”

“I’ll explain after you’ve eaten.”

“Thank you, Kael.”

Kael smiled softly and took the tray from Kina when she returned with the soup.

“I’ll feed you.”

“Oh…”

“There’s no need to feel embarrassed. We’re husband and wife.”

“Th-Thank you, Kael.”

As Kael fed her, Aella’s shy demeanor reminded him of the first time they met, and his smile didn’t fade.

“I don’t think I can eat anymore.”

“But you’ve only had three spoonfuls.”

“I’m sorry, Kael. My stomach doesn’t seem to be able to handle it.”

‘She was lying still for a month as if she were dead.’

Still worried that she might be hungry, Kael gave her some water and then a glass of milk.

“How do you feel now, Ella? Does your stomach feel better?”

“Yes! Kael, thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Oh, look at Charlotte. She fell asleep on my lap.”

“Charlotte has always loved sleeping on your lap since she was a kitten.”

“I see.”

As Kael watched Aella smile while stroking Charlotte’s head as she slept soundly, he began to speak.

“Ella, what I’m about to tell you is all true.”

“Yes.”

“Please, after hearing this, don’t hate me too much.”

Kael thanked Aella for nodding without saying a word and began recounting the events surrounding his father’s murder.

Throughout his story, Kael never took his eyes off Aella, who listened silently until he finished.

“That’s the end of the story.”

“…”

“I’m truly… sorry, Ella. I’m such a worthless man… I’ve hurt you… I’m so sorry. I was wrong… Ella. Please… You don’t have to forgive me. You can hate me, resent me, but… I know I’m shameless, but… please don’t leave me. Stay by my side… Ella, please…”

Kael spoke in a trembling voice, his head bowed low. Aella stared at him for a moment, then gently placed Charlotte, who was sleeping on her lap, beside her. She reached out with both hands and softly cupped Kael’s cheeks.

“Ella…”

“I understand you, Kael.”

“…”

“More than anything, I’m alive now because you came to find me… even in the Middle Realm.”

“Ella… sob…”

“Thank you, Kael. Thank you for risking death to come for me and for saving me. I’m so happy.”

Kael sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at Aella, who spoke with a bright smile.

“May I hold you?”

At Kael’s cautious question, Aella nodded and opened her arms, allowing him to embrace her.

“You’re warm, Kael.”

“Ella.”

“Yes, Kael.”

“Thank you… sob… I’m sorry and I love you, Ella.”

“Don’t apologize to me anymore, Kael.”

“…”

Kael watched as Aella wiped his tears with her sleeve.

“Even though I don’t remember, I feel like I truly loved you, Kael. Loved you enough to give up my life for you. Even now, just looking at you makes my heart race.”

“Ella.”

“So don’t apologize anymore. Until my memories return, please stay by my side and share our memories so I can recover them quickly.”

Kael gently embraced Aella’s shoulders and kissed her forehead.

“Kael…”

“I will. Ella, I’ll grant whatever you wish.”

“Kael, thank you. I’m so happy.”

“Ella, Ella!”

“Yes, Kael.”

Kael held Ella tightly and, as tears poured endlessly, he kept murmuring her name.

“Kael… I want to get some fresh air.”

Kael dressed her in proper clothes over her nightgown and supported her as they stepped outside.

“Wow, what a beautiful garden.”

“This is the garden my late mother cherished the most.”

“I see.”

“My father built it for her when she married into the family. We used to play here freely as children.”

Aella nodded, smiling softly as she spoke.

“I feel like I can sense that somehow.”

“Do you?”

Instead of answering, Aella smiled brightly and nodded. Kael brushed her hair behind her ear as the wind blew, gently caressing her flushed cheeks.

“Kael…”

“Ella, there’s a place I want to take you.”

“Where is it?”

“My mother’s hometown, Chervel. I’ve always wanted to show you the sea there, ever since I was a child.”

“That sounds wonderful. I’d love to go there.”

“In that case, we’ll leave at dawn.”

“But Kael, aren’t you the commander of the imperial guard? Won’t that…”

Aella blushed as Kael’s large hand gently touched her cheek.

“Kael.”

“Nothing is more important to me now than you, Ella.”

“Oh…”

“I love you, Ella. I love you.”

Aella felt her heart swell at his earnest expression and words.

“I… love you too, Kael.”

Kael wiped her tears with his hand and smiled brightly.

“Ella, may I kiss you?”

“A k-kiss…”

“I want to kiss your lips, just briefly.”

“Th-that’s… okay.”

“Thank you, Ella. I love you.”

“Hmph!”

Kael’s large hand cupped her cheek as his lips softly met hers. Aella closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his waist, surrendering herself completely to him.

“Mmph… Hmph… Kael…”

As the gentle kiss turned into a deeper one, Aella’s legs trembled and gave out, but Kael held her firmly with his strong arms.

Cough, cough.

“Kael… Huff, huff…”

“I’m sorry, Ella.”

“I-it’s okay… Cough, cough.”

“Let’s go back inside.”

Aella nodded, and Kael held her hand as they returned to the room. He laid her down on the bed and pulled the blanket up to her chest.

“Sleep well, Ella.”

“Kael, aren’t you going to sleep with me?”

“Do you want me to stay with you?”

Aella shyly nodded, and Kael, finding her utterly adorable, kissed her forehead and lay down beside Charlotte, who was curled up next to her.

“Sweet dreams, Ella.”

“You too, Kael.”

As Aella closed her eyes, Kael gazed at her quietly.

“Ella, are you asleep?”

“Mmm…”

“Ella, thank you. Truly. I’ll do my best for you forever. I love you.”

Kael gently stroked her cheek, watching her smile softly in her sleep, and finally drifted off late into the night.

—

The next day, before heading to Chervel, Kael and Aella visited the imperial palace. Despite her lost memories, Aella was greeted warmly by the twin princesses and princes, who cried tears of joy and hugged her tightly. Apologizing for worrying everyone, Aella smiled brightly, and Kael couldn’t help but smile as well.

“Aella… It’s such a relief that the duchess has awakened.”

“Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince. And… I greet Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

“Duchess… sob… Thank you so much for waking up.”

“Your Highness…”

“I’m sorry, Duchess. I’m just so happy that I’m crying…”

Aella approached the sobbing crown princess, who had covered her face with her hands, and Kael watched her.

“Please forgive my rudeness.”

“…Duchess…”

“Don’t cry, Your Highness. I’m fine.”

“Oh… Aella!”

“!”

Aella was surprised when the crown princess suddenly hugged her tightly, but she gently patted her trembling back.

“You’re traveling to Chervel with the duchess?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I humbly request your permission…”

“Of course I approve. I hope you and the duchess have a meaningful time together.”

“Thank you.”

After bidding farewell to the emperor and empress, Kael boarded the carriage and took Aella’s hand.

“Ella, if you’re tired, you can lean on my shoulder or use my lap as a pillow.”

“Kael… Hehe, thank you.”

Kael gently stroked her smiling face and kissed her lightly. Her flushed cheeks made him smile even more.

After several hours of travel, the carriage passed by the river that grants wishes. Kael stopped the carriage.

“Come, step down slowly.”

Kael stepped out first and helped Aella down. Together, they walked to the second river that grants wishes.

“This river is so beautiful.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Yes. I didn’t know a river could be this stunning.”

As Aella became mesmerized by the river, Kael turned her toward him and gazed at his lovely wife.

“Ella.”

“Yes, Kael.”

“Marry me again.”

“!”

“When we return to the estate, I want to renew our vows.”

“Kael…”

Kael gently touched her tear-filled cheeks and kissed her lips.

“I promise I’ll never make you cry again. I’ll never let anything trouble you, and I’ll protect you from anything that tries to hurt you.”

“Kael…”

“I love you, my Ella.”

“I love you too, Kael.”

Aella smiled brightly and buried herself deeper into Kael’s embrace.